John Varlas' prep football preview: Week 0

Nikki Boertman / The Commercial Appeal files
Whitehaven defensive back Darrius Sims, seen grabbing an interception in a 2011 game against East, opens the season with his Tigers on Saturday against Hillcrest at the Fairgrounds.

TOP GAMES

MURFREESBORO OAKLAND at (8) ARLINGTON

Time: 7 p.m.

Story lines: No cupcakes for the Tigers in their opener. Oakland is a grind-it-out team that will run, run and run some more with tailback Travon Willis. Arlington will counter with a pass-first offense led by standout quarterback Drew Reed and receivers Omari Hampton, Justin Boring and Allen Deberry. The game could well rest on the play of the Tigers' defense, led by linebacker Chris Jolly and defensive end Lewis Edwards.

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Madison Central at (1) Olive Branch, 7:30 p.m. Story lines: The defending Mississippi 6A champs open their season against a team they defeated twice last year. The most interest will likely center on who starts at QB for the Quistors; transfers Sam Craft (Craigmont) and Josh Cooley (Horn Lake) have been battling for the job.

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(2) MUS at Nashville Ensworth, 7 p.m. Story lines: The Owls will be out to avenge two losses to Ensworth in 2011, including a 28-0 setback in the playoffs. MUS' big challenge will be slowing down running back Corn Elder, the reigning Division 2-AA Mr. Football. The game will be televised live on CSS.

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(3) Whitehaven vs. Hillcrest, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Fairgrounds: Story lines: The Tigers open against an undermanned Vikings team and first-year coach Julius Jackson. Whitehaven's offensive line will have four new starters, but running back Mark Dodson, quarterback Patrick Smith and company should still thrive.

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Wooddale at (5) CBHS, 7 p.m. Story lines: The Purple Wave will unveil its spread offense Friday night against the Cardinals, who are rebuilding under second-year coach Keith Spann. CBHS has plenty of confidence in junior quarterback Breck Rudick, who will be making his debut as a starter.

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(7) Covington at Bolton, 7 p.m. Story lines: Bolton, coming off a 1-9 season, has the unenviable task of trying to slow arguably the area's best 1-2 running back tandem in seniors Carlos Williams and Johnston White.

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Charleston-Miss. at (11) Southaven, 7:30 p.m. Story lines: Ed Rich has liked his team's preseason attitude, and a victory Friday night would be a great way to keep the good feelings going. It won't be easy though; Charleston is the defending state 3A champion.

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Carver at (12) Harding, 7 p.m. Story lines: The Lions' quest for a Division 2-A state championship starts Friday night against the Cobras, who won just one game last season. Look for Harding RB Michael Carr to have a big game behind the Lions' massive offensive line.